Flintshire County Council, supported by Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, developed a Dementia Strategy for Flintshire in 2020. 

An update summary was published in November 2021 and can be accessed here.

The Flintshire Strategy is aligned to the North Wales Dementia Strategy and reflects local needs and priorities. The strategy supports the development of supportive communities. to improve the lives of people living with dementia, and their carers and families.

The six counties of North Wales also work collaboratively to meet the recently developed All Wales Dementia Care Pathway of Standards. 

For more information on these standards, please use the following link: All Wales Dementia Care Pathway of Standards.

NHS Wales

If you have any concerns regarding your health, or the health of a family member, you should speak to your GP. 

The NHS Wales website also has useful information about dementia.

Flintshire County Council

First Contact Team - Single Point of Access (SPOA)

By telephoning just one number you will be able to speak to someone about community health, well-being and care services, including dementia care and support.   You will be able to get information, advice, assistance, assessment, and co-ordinated care from this number.  This includes information about dementia.

If you prefer you will also be able to get information and make contact through the website and by email.  Whether you are making contact about yourself, a person you help to care for or someone you have concerns about, the Single Point of Access will be there to listen and help you. 

If the team cannot help you themselves, they will put you in contact with someone who can (18 years +) and the services available in the statutory and third sector.

Adult Social Services - Single Point of Access
Preswylfa, Hendy Road, Mold, CH7 1PZ.

Telephone: 03000 858858

E-mail: spoa@flintshire.gov.uk

How to Access Care and Support in Flintshire

Flintshire Connects

Flintshire Connects brings together Flintshire County Council, North Wales Police, Job Centre Plus and other partner organisations, to deliver high quality customer focused services to the public and vulnerable individuals in our community that find it difficult to access services online or by phone.

At Flintshire Connects, you can speak to one of our trained Customer Service Advisors about a range of Council services.

Flintshire Connects centres are located in Buckley, Connah's Quay, Flint, Holywell and Mold.

Flintshire Dementia Centre

To support people that have recently been diagnosed with dementia a support pathway has been implemented across North Wales. This includes a new Dementia Centre based in Greenfield, Flintshire.   

The Dementia Centre is operated by Carers Trust North Wales Crossroads Care Services in partnership with the Local Authority and Health Board. The centre provides support, information and advice to people living with dementia and their carers and families.  The centre also provides health related clinics and peer support groups.

To find out more about the Flintshire Dementia Centre please call Carers Trust on 01492 542212.

Adult Safeguarding

Where it appears that an adult is experiencing, or at risk of experiencing abuse or neglect, the Council has a legal responsibility to undertake enquiries to determine whether this is the case and to formulate a response to ensure that the adult is protected.

Staff and members of the public can contact Social Services for advice, or you can call 999 to contact the Police directly if you think that a crime has been committed or someone is in immediate danger. 

During office hours please contact Social Services on 01352 803444 or North Wales Police 101.

If you are concerned that an older person is being abused, you can also contact the Action on Elder Abuse support line on 0808 808 8141 or Age Connects North East Wales on 08450 549969. 

Out of hours contact the Police on 101 or in emergency call 999.

Alzheimer's Society Cymru

Find out more about Alzheimer's Society Cymru and get resources about dementia in Welsh.

DEEP

More information about the Dementia Engagement and Empowerment Project (DEEP) network and the local groups activities supported by DEEP in Flintshire.

Dewis Cymru

Dewis Cymru is a website that has been developed to help people find information about organisations and services that can help them take control of their own well-being. 

It has information that can help you think about what matters to you, and it’s also got information about people and services in your area that can help you with the things that matter to you.

Knowledge is Power

Handy hints that might help make life a little easier after a diagnosis of dementia.

This booklet was written by people living with dementia, for people living with dementia.

Older People’s Commissioner for Wales

The Older People’s Commissioner for Wales protects and promotes the rights of older people throughout Wales, scrutinising and influencing a wide range of policy and practice to improve their lives. 

She provides help and support directly to older people through her casework team and works to empower older people and ensure that their voices are heard and acted upon. 

The Commissioner’s role is underpinned by a set of unique legal powers to support her in reviewing the work of public bodies and holding them to account when necessary.

Telecare

A range of Telecare equipment is available to support independence. Telecare equipment can be linked to a 24-hour monitoring service or through to a mobile phone or carer alert system. Whatever your situation, help can be called. 

The Telecare equipment is available following an assessment to anyone who lives in Flintshire and feels it may make a difference to their lives. 

There is a one-off payment of £25 plus VAT for the installation. Also, there is a monitoring charge of £2.20 plus VAT a week.

For more information contact 03000 858858 or e-mail: spoa@flintshire.gov.uk

Which? ‘Later Life Care’

Free, independent and practical guidance about making care choices across the UK. 

If you support someone who is unable to look after themselves because of illness, disability or the effects of ageing and you are providing substantial unpaid care to that person, then you are a Carer.

Services to support you in your caring role include:

• Providing advice and information
• Directing you to voluntary organisations that provide grants and support for carers
• Assistance with gardening, cleaning or purchase of equipment
• Providing a break from caring
• Re-assessing the support provided to the person you care for to ensure your own assessed needs are met

Whilst some services can be arranged directly with a voluntary organisation, many are provided following a Carer Needs Assessment which helps to identify what your needs are and what services can be provided to support you.

Carers in Flintshire

A carer is anyone looking after a family member or friend, who because of a long-term illness, disability, mental health problem or addiction cannot manage without this support.

Contact NEWCIS on 01352 752525 for more information.

Essential Carer Guide

This document contains details of useful services and information on a Carer’s Assessments and how to access them. 

Supporting Carers Who Look After Someone With Dementia

Carers Trust Wales have published 'Caring for someone with dementia: A guide for family and friends', a comprehensive resource that brings together the practical information and emotional guidance that carers need to support their own well-being.

Carers Emergency Card Flintshire – British Red Cross

Flintshire Carer's Cards are issued to carers to enable them to have peace of mind that the person they care for will be looked after should something happen to them. 

It is a small wallet / pocket sized card on which you can put contact numbers of who to contact regarding your cared for person should an emergency occur. 

Telephone: 01745 828330.

Carer Discounts

There are many offers, benefits and discounts available exclusively for carers and people with care needs. 

Many attractions offer free entry for carers with the person they care for - including National Trust, Chester Zoo, and the Cinema. 

You will need to present proof of disability (DLA/PIP/Blue Badge) for the discount.

Flintshire County Council supported the development of seven Dementia Friendly Communities as part of the Alzheimer’s Society Dementia Friendly Communities scheme.

This scheme was closed by Alzheimer’s Society in December 2023.  

In response, the North Wales Regional Partnership Board worked closely with County Voluntary Councils, Local Authorities, the Health Board, and other identified partners to develop and establish a North Wales Dementia Friendly Communities Scheme. The new scheme was launched on 1st January 2024.

Dementia Friendly Communities support individuals living with dementia, their friends, family, and carers, by raising awareness of dementia to increase understanding and reduce stigma. They empower individuals living with dementia to remain an active part of their community, reducing isolation and loneliness. 

Everyone can play an active role in making their community more dementia friendly and the North Wales Regional Partnership Board are passionate about supporting communities in their dementia friendly journey.

The existing Dementia Friendly Communities in Flintshire have become members of the new North Wales Scheme. These communities are:

• Flint Dementia Friendly Community
• Buckley Dementia Friendly Community
• Mold Dementia Friendly Community
• Deeside Dementia Friendly Community
• Holywell Age and Dementia Friendly Community
• Saltney Dementia Friendly Community
• Alyn Villages Dementia Friendly Community

The following Organisations, Businesses and Schools were recognised as Dementia Friendly under the original scheme. The organisations that are still in operation will be engaged to continue to provide dementia friendly facilities and activities. 

Mold

Buckley

Flint

Dementia Friendly & Age Friendly Community Cafes

A social gathering where people with memory loss and their carers, or anyone who would like to connect with new friends, can come together in a safe supportive environment.  Guests can share conversation over a cup of tea in a relaxed atmosphere that sometimes includes music, art, or other forms of entertainment.

NEWCIS Events Calendar

Age Friendly Flintshire

The Welsh Government Strategy for an Ageing Society identifies the development of Age-Friendly Communities as a cross-cutting theme with the aim of “making Wales the best place in the World to grow older”.

Local Authorities across Wales are being encouraged to work with communities and partners to increase the age-friendliness of communities and to join the World Health Organisation Global Network of Age-Friendly Cities & Communities. Flintshire joined the Global Network in May 2023.

Like Minded

The Like Minded Group is hosted by the Outside Lives community organisation and is linked to the national Dementia Engagement and Empowerment Project (Deep).

The Like Minded Group meet every Wednesday morning at Mold Rugby Club.

The session is for people living with early to moderate stages of dementia, and their carers and provides a supportive and friendly atmosphere.

Singing For The Brain

Singing for the Brain provides a friendly and informal singing group aimed at keeping people living with dementia to remain connected and engaged. The group is run by Home Instead in association with the Alzheimer's Society and Dementia Friendly Mold. 

The sessions run for approximately 1 hour 30 minutes and are currently held at Mold Library on the third Thursday of the month.

For more information or to book your place, please contact Heather Collin on 01978 660423 or email community@northwales.homeinstead.co.uk

Holywell Sing Along

Organised by the Age & Dementia-friendly Holywell group, the session brings people together for a chance to sing-along to favourite tunes, with musical entertainment often provided by local music groups and choirs.

This sing-along group meets on the second Friday of each month in St Peter's Church, Rosehill, Holywell (10am - 12 noon).

Find an address, memory café, Dementia Friendly organisation, business or school by using the Dementia Friendly Locations Map.

• Map
• How to Guide
• Interactive Map Guide

Theatr Clwyd - Relaxed Shows

Relaxed shows are for adults and children with Autism, Alzheimer’s, Dementia, Learning Disabilities and Sensory and Communication Disorders. 

The show is adjusted to make the experience less stressful and more enjoyable.  

Changes may include: the theatre being lighter than usual, volume reduction, fewer special effects, script adjustments, easy access in and out of the theatre during the show and a chill-out area.

To book please call the Box Office on 01352 344101 or e-mail box.office@theatrclwyd.com

Syd's Place

Syd's Place, Croes Atti Centre in Fflint is open to anyone with a diagnosis of young onset dementia, and supports people to have a meaningful and varied programme of activities and outings, and opportunities that aim to promote and maintain independence and skills. 

People also benefit from the social contact and emotional support of being with people in similar situations. 

For more information, please contact Syd's Place on 01352 732982.

NEWCIS -Bridging the Gap

Bridging the Gap Respite Scheme was launched in April 2013 to give carers choice and options about who could provide them care at a time and day that they needed it. 

The scheme also made provision for times of emergency/crisis and allowed for a quick and flexible approached to delivering a service when carers needed it most. 

Herbert Protocol

The Herbert Protocol is a form that carers, family or friends of a vulnerable person, or the person themselves can fill in. The form is for a person is at risk of going missing.  It contains a list of information to help the police if the person goes missing, including: 

• medication required
• mobile numbers
• places previously located
• a recent photograph

Keeping a completed form saves the worry of trying to recall the information during the stressful time of someone going missing. It also saves time for the police, allowing the search to start sooner.

Neighbourhood Wardens

The Wardens provide and fit target hardening equipment to residents living in Flintshire who have been the victims of crime or are deemed ‘vulnerable’. They also visit members of the community to provide safety advice and reassurance, upon request. Referrals for this service can be made direct to the Wardens or via Neighbourhood Watch.

Referrals for generic target hardening, anti-vandal painting, cycle marking, and patrols can be made directly on 01352 701818.

Trading Standards

Advice on your consumer rights, avoiding scams and doorstep crime, product safety and money lending. 

Blue Badge

Blue Badges allow people with severe mobility difficulties or a health condition that affects their mobility to park closer to where they need to go.

You can apply for a Blue Badge as a driver, passenger or organisation.

Flintshire Community Travel

To supplement public transport provision, there are a number of community and voluntary led travel services in Flintshire, including:

Community Ring & Ride Service

This is a door-to-door service using cars or minibuses for individuals who are either unable or find it difficult to use or access mainstream transport services and need to travel to their GP surgery or other health related appointments.

To make an application to be a member of the Community Ring & Ride Service please contact Streetscene Contact Centre:

Tel: 01352 701234 (between 8.30am and 5.00pm Monday-Friday).

Flecsi Services in Holywell and Buckley

Fflecsi is a new type of bus service to get out and about around Buckley, Holywell and the surrounding villages. 

The service is available to everyone and there are 3 booking options to arrange your journey. Simply use the app, book online or call on 0300 234 0300 and they’ll help you plan a journey.

Holywell Fflecsi Leaflet

Buckley Fflecsi Leaflet

Other Local Travel Services

• Alyn villages to Mold (LT7)
• Estuary Voluntary Car Scheme
• Welsh Border Community Transport

For further information, please see the Community Transport page on the Flintshire County Council Website.

Council Tax Reductions

Council Tax discounts can be awarded for those taxpayers living with dementia.  To find out if you are eligible, please contact the Benefits Team on 01352 704848 or email: benefits@flintshire.gov.uk 

Alternatively, you may wish to visit Flintshire Connects.  

Assisted Bin Collection

If you are elderly or have a disability or medical condition and find it difficult to take your bins / recycling to the kerbside, you can apply for help (referred to as an assisted collection). Our crew can collect the bins and containers from an agreed location on your property, empty them and return them to the same point.

These collections are only available to residents in genuine need where there is no able-bodied person living at the address who could present the bins or containers at the kerbside for collection. 

Please call Streetscene on 01352 701234 or email: streetscene@flintshire.gov.uk

Alternatively, you may wish to visit Flintshire Connects.